Zhang Shaozhong led this eccentric group of four back to a secluded courtyard on the outskirts of the city.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, Ye Meier sprawled out on a recliner without any regard for her image, letting out a long sigh: "Oh my god! You scared the hell out of me!"
Although Ling Qingxue didn't speak, her tense shoulders relaxed slightly, clearly indicating that she had been under considerable pressure just now.
Xuanji Zhenren and the Demon Lord stood in the center of the courtyard, their faces both looking increasingly sour.
What are their identities?
To have to evade capture by ordinary people like a petty thief is an utter disgrace!
Master Xuanji surveyed the mortal dwelling, which he considered "shabby and inadequate," his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap flies: "Is this where you reside? The spiritual energy is tainted, and the layout is crude!"
The Demon Lord waved his sleeve dismissively, as if sweeping away non-existent dust: "Hmph, even a pigsty is cleaner than this!"
Zhang Shaozhong could only force a smile and say, "I'm sorry to trouble you two seniors. It's just a temporary place to stay..."
He quickly gave Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier a look, signaling them to find a way to appease their respective masters.
Ling Qingxue understood and stepped forward to Xuanji Zhenren, saying, "Master, the rules of this realm are peculiar, and spiritual energy is scarce. We need to plan carefully. Please be patient, Master. I will definitely find a way to return to my sect."
Night Enchantress, unusually serious, said to the Demon Lord, "Old... Demon Lord, since we're here, let's make the best of it! This place may be a bit run-down, but there are plenty of fun things to do! Just think of it as... experiencing life?"
The Demon Lord's blood-red eyes glared: "Experiencing life? I think you've become too ambitious in this mortal realm!"
Seeing that the atmosphere was about to become tense again, Zhang Shaozhong quickly smoothed things over: "You two must be thirsty after your long journey, right? I have some excellent... uh, Coke? Sprite? Or would you like some tea?"
Xuanji Zhenren & Demon Lord: "..."
What are all these things?!
In the end, Master Xuanji asked for a glass of water, while the Demon Lord became interested in the refrigerator, studied the refrigeration principle for a while, and casually cracked two eggs in the process.
Zhang Shaozhong was completely bewildered by the chaotic scene.
I can't live like this anymore!
Who could stand having two enormous Buddha statues in their home that could explode at any moment?
Just as he was pondering whether he should contact Mr. Zhou and pass these two hot potatoes to them to deal with—
A gentle yet vast aura appeared outside the courtyard without warning.
Immediately afterwards, Elder Long's familiar voice, tinged with surprise and solemnity, slowly came through:
"Young friend, your house is unusually 'lively' today. I wonder who the distinguished guest is? I, Long Zhenyue, have come to pay a visit."
Before he finished speaking, the wooden door to the courtyard was gently pushed open, and Old Man Long, still dressed in his simple attire, slowly walked in.
His gaze first fell on Zhang Shaozhong and the other two, and he nodded slightly. Then, it settled on Xuanji Zhenren and the Demon Lord in the center of the courtyard!
Elder Long's pupils suddenly contracted, and the usual gentle smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity and... a hint of unbelievable shock!
With his Nascent Soul stage cultivation and keen perception, he could almost instantly tell that the two people in front of him were far more powerful than he could ever hope to achieve!
That's an absolute gap in terms of life level and realm!
Although the energy fluctuations they emitted were suppressed to the early Nascent Soul stage, their unfathomable depth and domineering aura were undeniable!
"Fellow Daoists..."
Elder Long took a deep breath and solemnly cupped his hands in greeting. "May I ask where you come from? What brings you to this realm?"
His heart was in turmoil!
When did something of this caliber infiltrate Earth?
Judging from their auras, one is upright and righteous, while the other is demonic and overwhelming. They are clearly top-tier experts from different factions!
Where did Zhang Shaozhong come from?!
Master Xuanji glanced at Elder Long indifferently, his gaze as if he were looking at a slightly stronger ant: "A mere Nascent Soul cultivator from the lower realm dares to ask me the Dao?"
His tone was flat, yet carried an undeniable arrogance.
The Demon Lord sneered, his blood-red eyes filled with mockery: "Do I need to report to you where I go? Get out of my way, don't get in my way."
Elder Long's expression changed, filled with anger, but even more so with a sense of awe.
He could tell that these two were not bluffing; they genuinely didn't take him seriously!
Seeing the situation, Zhang Shaozhong was afraid a fight would break out, so he quickly jumped in to act as a peacemaker: "Elder Long! It's a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! These two are... they are Qingxue and Mei'er's... distant relatives! Yes, distant relatives! They've come to visit!"
Elder Long: "..."
Do I look like an idiot to you?
Whose distant relative's aura could scare a Nascent Soul cultivator to death?
Ling Qingxue and Ye Meier also looked embarrassed.
Master Xuanji snorted coldly and remained silent, which was taken as an admission of this lame identity.
The Demon Lord looked at Zhang Shaozhong with amusement, seemingly finding it somewhat interesting.
As astute as Elder Long was, he immediately understood that there must be some hidden story behind this, and that Zhang Shaozhong and the other two seemed to have a complicated relationship with these two powerful figures.
He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and smiled gently again:
"So you are the elders of the two young ladies. My apologies for my rudeness. I am Long Zhenyue, a humble cultivator of this realm. Since you are here, I am a guest. May I ask what your views are on this realm? If there is anything I can do to help, I may do my best."
His words were very skillful; they expressed goodwill, pointed out that he was the "host," and at the same time probed the other party's intentions.
Master Xuanji glanced at Elder Long, seemingly finding this "Nascent Soul cultivator from the lower realm" to be somewhat sensible, and said indifferently, "This realm has incomplete rules and depleted spiritual energy, making it a place of exile. We are only seeking our way back and have no intention of interfering in the affairs of this realm."
The Demon Lord lazily replied, "Hurry up and find the way. I don't want to stay in this godforsaken place for another second."
Elder Long felt somewhat relieved, as long as they weren't there to cause trouble.
He looked at Zhang Shaozhong: "Young friend, about this matter of finding our way home..."
Zhang Shaozhong quickly replied, "We're trying to find a solution! We're trying to find a solution! We'll report to Elder Long as soon as we have any progress!"
All he wants now is to get rid of Elder Long as soon as possible, otherwise the pressure of having these three big shots together is too great!
Elder Long could see Zhang Shaozhong's embarrassment and knew that today was not the time for a deep conversation, so he nodded: "In that case, I will not disturb you any longer. Young friend, if you need anything, or... if anything changes, please contact me at any time."
He deliberately emphasized the word "unexpected change," gave Xuanji Zhenren and the Demon Lord a meaningful look, then nodded to Zhang Shaozhong and slowly left the courtyard.
Only after Elder Long's aura completely disappeared did Zhang Shaozhong breathe a long sigh of relief, feeling that his back was soaked with sweat.
He looked at the two people in the courtyard who were exchanging fierce glances again (Master Xuanji and the Demon Lord) and his two wives who looked helpless, and felt like crying.
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